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Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
After you have decided whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacy technician programs to choose from in the Linda CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Linda residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you must consider in order to adequately compare schools. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Linda CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many employers desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician college should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This qualification can be satisfied by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of experience for certification, which can be satisfied through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Linda CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Linda CA after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Linda CA residence. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy technician program you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Linda CA area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.